Magyk

Magyk is the first installment of Sage’s internationally best-selling Septimus Heap series, which consists of seven middle grade fantasy novels. The first book introduces the titular protagonist as well as a number of other recurring characters, including Princess Jenna, Nicko Heap, Silas Heap, Sarah Heap, Simon Heap, Aunt Zelda Heap, Alther Mella, Merrin the Apprentice, and Marcia Overstrand the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. At the end of Magyk, Septimus and his allies defeat the wicked DomDaniel, and he discovers his true identity and becomes Marcia’s Apprentice. This victory is threatened by mysterious forces in the sequel, Flyte, which was published in 2006. Flyte begins a year after the first book’s ending and shows Septimus and Jenna adapting to the revelations they learned about themselves in Magyk. While Septimus hones his remarkable magical aptitude under Marcia’s tutelage, Jenna adjusts to life as the Princess. Their older brother, Simon, who betrays the Heap family in Magyk, becomes a more active antagonist in the second book by abducting Jenna, forcing Septimus and Nicko to come to her rescue. The first book’s main villain, DomDaniel, returns as a skeleton, attempts to kill Marcia, and is defeated once again. Other concepts and conceits from the first volume that inform Flyte include Sage’s magic system of charms and potions, the Dragon Boat, and the green egg-shaped rock that Jenna gives Septimus, which hatches into a dragon named Spit Fyre.

Septimus’s adventures continue in Physik (2007), Queste (2008), Syren (2009), Darke (2011), and Fyre (2013). Merrin Meredith, who serves as DomDaniel’s Apprentice and mistakenly believes himself to be Septimus Heap in Magyk, returns as one of the antagonists in Queste. Much of the first book takes place on ships and boats, and Syren picks up this nautical thread with a magical island, a hidden treasure, and the introduction of Jenna’s seafaring father, Milo Banda. Across the series, Sage presents The Struggle Between Good and Evil, which is a classic theme in the fantasy genre. This struggle grows more dire than ever in the final two books as Septimus battles against a dark realm trying to overtake the castle. Another major theme established in Magyk is The Influence of Power on Identity and Responsibility. Throughout the series, Septimus’s magic grows stronger, and Jenna takes on more responsibility as the future queen. In addition, Sage continues the first book’s celebration of The Power of Family Ties and Loyalty. No matter where their journeys take them, Septimus and Jenna can count on the support of their friends and family. The Heaps remain emotionally close even when they are separated by geographical distance, time travel, or other obstacles. In 2009, Sage published Septimus Heap: The Magykal Papers. This guide to the series’ fantasy world contains diary entries from Septimus, Jenna, and Marcia Overstrand and resources about daily life in the castle. As a New York Times-bestseller, the Septimus Heap series has received praise for combining “heart-stopping action” with “a dash of humor” (“Septimus Heap, Book Three: Physik.” Harper Kids, 2025). Darke and Fyre were both nominated for the Goodreads Awards in the category of Best Middle Grade and Children’s fiction.